If you’re familiar with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, you know William Maxwell. He’s been the administrative face of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board for more than 30 years.
William grew up in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, just east of Athens. For 75 years, his family owned and operated The Oglethorpe Echo, the 151-year-old community newspaper serving the county. William’s father bought the paper after naval service during World War II, and his older brother, Ralph, served as publisher, editor, business manager, reporter and typesetter until recently, when declining health and financial challenges forced him to consider some tough realities.
After a century and a half, it seemed certain The Oglethorpe Echo would meet the same fate as more than 3,000 community newspapers that have ceased operations over the past 20 years. But an unconventional idea not only saved the paper but also created opportunities for future generations.
According to UGA Today, Ralph was putting the finishing touches on an article announcing the paper’s closure when his friend and longtime newspaperman Dink NeSmith had an inspired idea. He convinced Ralph to keep the paper going a little longer and contacted the dean of the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The outcome: NeSmith created a nonprofit to which the Echo was donated, and students from the journalism program now run the paper under faculty supervision.
“I wanted to turn The Oglethorpe Echo into a real-life experience for aspiring journalists at the Grady College,” NeSmith said. The paper was infused with new life, serving the people of Oglethorpe County and providing incredible opportunities for aspiring journalists.
The point is clear: The 151-year-old mission of reporting community news remained, but the methodology underwent radical transformation.
Jesus said, “You cannot put new wine into old wineskins” (Luke 5:37). Truth is truth, regardless of application.
In his 2007 book, Change or Die, Alan Deutschman concludes that although we can change our behavior, we rarely do. Sustainable change requires adopting new ways of thinking about our situation.
The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Tennessee Baptists face a similar challenge as The Oglethorpe Echo. We aren’t at the point of ceasing operations, but the journey toward ineffectiveness, plateauing, and eventual decline is traveled by endlessly doing the same things the same way. That’s why we’ve undergone an intensive period of identifying new approaches to our ministry and are actively transforming. Ministry different is better than ministry dead.
Transformation began by clearly defining our mission: The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board serves churches by multiplying gospel leaders who advance God’s kingdom. We need visionary leadership from all corners of our state. Visionary leaders see beyond what others deem possible, practical, or safe. Biblical visionaries are willing to embrace discomfort, unconventional methods, and unorthodox approaches to reach the unloved, unchurched, uncared for, and unsaved.
Our churches need a robust pipeline of gospel leaders—vocational ministers, bivocational ministers, and laypeople—to expand God’s kingdom in Tennessee and beyond. Gospel leaders are wanted. Gospel leaders are needed.
This intense time of transition will have a significant kingdom impact on the TBC network of churches.
Like The Echo, our success depends on impacting both this generation and generations to come. And like the Echo, the future of Tennessee Baptists hinges on the collaborative efforts of many—your efforts—across the state.
Great news is you’re responding. To date, more than 80 collaboration meetings have been held across the state involving hundreds of you expressing interest in, and committing to, participating in the effort to strengthen and multiply gospel leaders, evangelistic disciples and healthy churches.
A June 7, 2023, USA Today article reported that The Oglethorpe Echo continued its legacy because students, the Grady College of Journalism, NeSmith, Maxwell, and Oglethorpe County residents worked together. That’s us. That’s Tennessee Baptists. Kingdom success depends on a bold vision fueled by passionate prayer and collaborative effort driven at all levels by gospel leaders.
Transitions have their bumps, but Deutschman advises practicing new habits that yield small wins, building confidence for bigger changes. Mistakes will happen, but rallying around a common bond fosters a unified, supportive environment.
The Great Commission is the common bond that creates this unified, supportive environment.
It’s OK that ministry will look different if the mission remains the same because it makes for exciting time to be a Tennessee Baptist. Like The Echo, we are traveling toward the best days in our 151-year history.
It is my joy to be with you on this journey. B&R